Seed-conditioning apparatus



Nov.. 6 i923. LWS

F. sTEiGMEYER SEED CONDITIONING APPARATUS led 12, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 1Nov. 6 i923. Ml

F. STEIGMEYER SEED CONDI T IONING .A PPARATUS led Dec. 4 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuento'g Patented Non. 6, i223..

UNET@ STATES FREDERICK STEEGMJEYEFJ, 0F WESTHAVEN, CALIFORNX.

SEED-CONDITICONENG APPARATUS.

Application lled December 4, 1922. Serial No. @@lll.

To all 'w71 om it 72mg/ concern lie it known that l. Fnnonlucl(Sramnnvnn. a citizen of the `lnited States., residing at Wcstbaven. inthecounty of Fresno and State of (lalilioruia` have invented certain newand useful lmprovements' in Seed-(`onditioning Apparatus, ot which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

rlhis invention rela-tes to a seed conditioning apparatus andhasrelation more particularly to a machine of this general characterespecially designed and adapted for use in connection w'ith wheatandother grain and it is an object of the invention to provide a machine ofthis general character embodying novel and imp-roved means wherebyseeds'.` before being planted.v may be treated in a manner to preventparasitic discases. bacteria. fungus or otherwise.

lt 'is also an object of the invention to' provide a novel and improvedapparatus of this general character which can be employed to advantageto improve condition and amwarance of seeds by thoroughly aerating thesame.

An additional object ot the invention is to provide a machine ot thisgeneral chal'- acter with novel and improved means whereby the seeds mayhe dusted or have deposited thereon a material destructive to parasitestogether with the effes and larvze which may be on the seeds and in theimmediate vicinity thereon or later appear therei-` Furthermore it is anobject of the invention to provide a machine of this general characterwhich operates to deposit a suitable material on the seeds whereby tointroduce into t-he soil and in the immediate vicinity or place wheresuch seeds are planted such material as will destroy or render harmlessto seed germination or plant lite arasites. bacteria, fungus or of allother kind and description.

The invention also has for an object to provide a. novel and improvedmachine of this general character which operates to deposit chemicals.dry chemical dust, or tine dry conuninuted material on the seeds tostimulate. germination and to invigorate root and plant life.

The invention consists in the details of constructionand in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved seedconditioning apparatus whereby certain inipoitant advantages areattained and the device rendered simpler., le expensive and otherwisemore convenient and advantageous for use, as Will be hereinatter morefully set forth.

rlhe novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

ln order that my invention may be the better understood, will nowproceed to describe the, same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure l is a View, partly in elevation and partly in section andsomewhat of a diagrammatic character illustrating a seed dusting machineconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation with portions broken away of themachine as herein disclosed;

l `ignre 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2 with certa-in of the parts omitted;

Figure 4 is a viewg in perspective of the screen element hereincomprised.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 'l` denotes a tower ofdesired dimensions and preferably ten and one-half feet in height. Thetower as herein disclosed has its side walls comprising the flat stripsor planks 1 and which aremaintained in assembled relation by a pluralityof vertically spaced bracing means. As herein disclosed each of saidbracing means comprises beams 2 extending across opposed sides of thetower T and projecting beyond the sides thereof. Overlying the remainingor end walls of the tower 'l and substantially coplaner with the beams 2are the brace blocks 3, each of said blocks snugly tting between thebeams 2. The outer faces of the blocks 3 are arranged on out-bows and inclose contact therewith are the rods'd, the opposite extremities ofwhich bein directed through the adjacent extended'en portions of thebeams 2. Operatively engaged with the extremities of the rods 4 are theclamping nuts 5 and washers 6 coacting with the outer faces of the beams2 so that upon requisite rotation of the nuts 5 the rods a will be drawntaut over the blocks 3 resulting in the desired maintenance of thestrips or planks 1 of the tower 'll' in assembled relation.

Mtl

l baille 12 which Int-he present embodiment of m invention a bracingmeans is positione immediately at the top of the tower with a 'secondmeans positioned adjacent to but above the bottom of the tower with thethird means arranged substantially midway of the first two means.

kThe top of the tower is open while the bottom thereof is closed by theflooring 7. The opposite sides or walls of the tower T andl preferablythose walls with which are associated the blocks 3 are continued belowthe flooring 7 for a desired distance to provide the supporting membersor legs 8 said legs being maintained in desired position at the groundlevel by the blocks 9.

The upper portion of the tower T at a desired distance below its top isprovided with a baie plate 10 extending inwardly and downwardly from aside wall of the tower on an angle of approximately 60, the boardextending entirely across said wall or side and is adapted to extendbeyond the center between said side or wall and the one opposed thereto.Extending inwardly and downwardly from the opposed wall or side of thetower is a second bailie 11, said baiile 11 being positioned above the-baille 'l0 and having its lower end spaced therefrom at a pointinwardly of the lower end of the bafiie 10. Slidably mounted and restingupon the baffle 11 is a super or sliding provides a regulating board orslide. The super or sliding baiile 12 cxtends exteriorly of the tower Tthrough a suitable opening in the adjacent side or wall thereof and theouter margin of thev board 12 has swivelled thereto as at 14 a shank 15threaded through a bracket 16 carried by the tower T. The outer end ofthe shank 15 is pmvided with a cross head 17 to provide means tofacilitate the rotation of the shank 15 in order to move the slide orboard 12 toward or from the bame 1() as the requirements of practice mayprefer.

Resting upon and secured to the lower portion of the slide or board 12is a plate 18 preferably of sheet metal. This plate extends outwardlybeyond the lower end of the slide or board 12 and serves to providemeans to make more easy the closing of the portion of the tower T abovethe baiile 10. j

The portion of the tower T above the baille 10 constitutes a hopper andpreferably of a capacity to accommodate approximately live bushels ofseed.

Arranged within the tower T below the baffle 10 and outwardly extendingfrom opposed-sides or walls of the tower T are the bailles 19 disposedon downward inclines, each of said baiiles having its lower endterminating at a point approximately two inches on the horizontal fromthe adjacent wall or side of the tower T and two inches vertically fromthenearest point on the baffle 19 immediately therebelow. vThe bailles19 are also disposed substantially on an angle of 60 with respect to theside or wall of the tower to which it is attached.

The wall of the tower T at predetermined points spaced verticallythereof is provided with the windows 20 to permit visual access withinthe tower. to determine if the seed is having requisite flow through thetower from above.

In communication with the interior of the tower through a side or wallthereof immediately adjacent the flooring 7 is a discharge spout 2lterminating in the nozzle or sacking circle 22 and which is adapted tobe received within the mouth of a sack, said sack being held in thenozzle or sacking circle 22 by engagement with the outstanding hooks 23.Positioned immediately below the nozzle or sackin circle- 22 is atapered block 24 upon whic a sack to be filled is rested an'd whichserves to force the bottom of the sack inwardly to assure the seeddelivered into the sack to be forced outwardly to the corners thereof.

Snugly arranged within the tower T below the lowermost baffle 19 is ascreening element S, the walls of which are herein disclosed ascomprising reticulated fabric of desired mesh. A wall 25 of the elementS is open and is arranged immediately adjacent to the tower T with whichis associated the spout 21. The opposed wall 26 is inclined downwardlyto the bottom of the wall 25 while the side walls 27 are arranged oninward inclines and to such an extent that the lower central portion 25yof the wall 25 of the element S is of a width substantially equal tothe width of the receiving end of the nozzle 21.

The central portion of the flooring 7 is provided with an opening 28 andwhich discharges within a hopper 28 having its bottom wall downwardlyconverging toward the center and in communication with said centralportion of the hopper 28 is a depending tubular mem-ber or pipe 30having its lower end closed by a removable cap 31. Arranged within thetower T below the screening element S are the removable panels 32inwardly and downwardly inclined toward the opening 28. The applicationor removal of the panels 32 is facilitated by having the lower portions33 of the members or boards 1 in one of the sides or walls of the towerT removable.

Tn communication with the tubular mem` ber or pipe 30 at a predeterminedpoint above its lower end is a pipe 34 leading to a suction fan 35. Thisfan 35 may be of any preferred construction and operated in any manneras may be desired. The casing of the fan 35 has leading therefrom theblast pipe 36 which discharges within the upper aa'faiee ortion of thetower T at a point below the aiiie 1() and above the uppermostl batiie19 asl is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

37 denotes a receptacle positioned above the pipe 34 and incommunication therewith, such communication being under control by avalve 38. The portion of the member or pipe below the pipe, 34 providesa trap 39.

For controlling` the discharge through the spout 21 T provide a `slideplate or valve 40 provided with an outstanding shank 41 dis- I posedthrough a slot 42 provided in the adjacent side or wall of the tower T.Coacting with the shank 41 and said wall or side of the tower T is aclamping member 43 whereby the plate or valve may be held in its desiredadjustment.

Tt is the purpose of the present invention to aerate grain or other seedbefore planting or to dust the same with a suitable material, such ascopper carbonate, to prevent parasitic diseases, bacteria, fungus or thelike; to serve as a repellent to insects or other pests; to destroy eggsand larvae of parasites vdhich may be or later appear on the seeds or inthe immediate vicinity thereof; to introduce into the soil in theimmediate vicinity of the places where such treated seeds are plantedsuch material as will destroy or render harmless to seed germination andplant life parasites and the like; and to deposit materiallon seeds tostimulate germination and invigorate root and plant life. Tn practicethe slide or board 12 is adjusted. to regulate the flow from the upperportion or hopper of the tower T, and the flow through the nozzle 21 isclosed by proper adjustment of the valve or plate 40. The receptacle 37is illed with a suitable supply of dust such as copper carbonate. Beforethe seed is permitted to flow downwardly through the tower, the valve 35is operated to effect a flow of air and dust downwardly through thetower T and the density of the dust in the air within the tower T can beobserved through either one of the windows 20.

When apparently the required density of dust is obtained a smallquantity of seed is permitted to discharge from the hopper or upperportion of the tower T and the plate or valve 40 opens suciently topermit said seed to pass into an applied sack. The seed is theninspected, preferably with the use of a magnifying hand glass, toobserve whether or not the seed is uniformly covered with dust, or ifother effective treatment desired, such as brightening and conditioningonly, has been accomplished. Tf the dust coating is too thin orinsufiicient the feeding How of dust is increased and vice versa. Whenthe test shows the treatment of the seed to be correct, the grain, isthen permitted to fiow in a stream downwardly through the hopperalthough it is to be understood that at predetermined intervals it is ofadvantage to` surplus dust will pass through the screen and be drawnthrough the member or pipe 29 and thepipe 34 and thus be returned to theupper portion of the tower T for further use.

Tf any foreign substance, heavier than the suspended dust finds its wlaythrough the tower T and is small enough to pass through the screeningelement S, such substance will find lodgment in the trap 39 and whichtrap can be readily emptied from time to time by the removal of the cap31.

The blast entering the tower is directed against the lower portion ofthe batile 10 and the downward air current set in motion by the seedfalling over the bafies 19 together with a downward suction blastcreated Within the tower by the fan 35, will carry the suspended powderto and through the screening element and into the suction pipe 34 andthen all the dust blown i-nto the tower at the top thereof except thatwhich is deposited on the seed being treated is returned to the fan andback into the blast and tower.

Tf my apparatus is used in conjunction with an elevator the feed to thehopper may be by gravity direct from the screens of the. cleaners,although the manner of depositing the seed to be treated within theupper portion of the tower T forms no part of my resent invention.

While T have particularly referred to the seedas being treated with asuitable dust. it is to be understood that the valve 38 controlling thecommunication between the receptacle 37 and the pipe 34 may be closedand the seed treated only in a manner to be aerated.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that aconditioning apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsohe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason T do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

claim:-

1. A. seed conditioning apparatus comprising a tower through which seedis adapted to travel by gravity, the lower portion of the ree BED

tower being provided with a discharge, means for creating a down draftof air through the tower, and means for mixing a seed treating materialwith the air before the air enters the tower. p Y

2. A. seed conditioning apparatus comprising a towerthrough which seedis adapted to travel by gravity, the lower portion of the tower beingprovided with a discharge, means for creating a down draft of airthrough the tower, and means for mixing a dust with the air before theair enters the tower.

3. A seed conditioning apparatus comprising a towerthrough which seed isadapted to travel by gravity, the lower portion of the tower beingprovided with a discharge, means for creating a down draft of airthrough the tower, means for regulating the flow of the seed, and aseparating element within the'tower serving as a guide to direct theseed toward the discharge.

4. A seed conditioning apparatus comprising a tower provided with adischarge, a fan, a suction pipe coacting with said fan and leading fromthe lower portion of the tower, a blast pipe associated with the fan andleading to the up er portion of the tower, and4 means for a mitting aseed treating material within the blast pipe.

5. A seed conditioning apparatus comprising a tower provided with adischarge, a fan, a suction pipe coacting with said fan and leading fromthe lower portion of the tower, a blast pipe associated with the fan andleading to the upper portion of the tower, and means for admitting aseed treating material within the blast pipe, and a separating elementwithin the tower adjacent to the discharge opening.

6. A seed conditioning apparatus comprising a tower provided with adischarge, a fan, ay suction pipe coacting with sald fan and portion ofthe tower, with the fan and lead- 7. A seed conditioning apparatuscompris-l ing a tower through to travel by gravity, the tower beingprovided with a discharge, means'coacting with the lower portion of thetower for creating a down drat't of air through the tower, and aseparating element within the tower serving as a guide to direct theseed toward the discharge.

8. A seed conditioning apparatus comprising a tower through which seedis adapted to travel by gravity, the lower portion of the tower beingprovided .with a discharge, means for creating a down draft of airthrough the tower, a separating element within the tower serving as aguide to direct which seed is adapted 1e upper portion of the tower,means.

the lower portion of.

the seed toward the discharge, and a collecty ing trap in communicationwith the tower below the separating element.

9. A seed conditioning apparatus comprising a tower through which seedis adapted to travel by gravity, the lower portion of the tower beingprovided with a discharge, means coacting with the lower portion ot thetower for creating a ydown draft of air through the tower, and means forregulating the flow of the seed.

In testimony whereof l hereunto atiix my signature.A

FREDERJICK STEIGMEYER.

